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Writer's pictureAdrian Fedyk

H is for Health - Driving Lessons in Basingstoke

Updated: May 13, 2023


Healthy Food
H is for Health

As you develop your skills during your driving lessons in Basingstoke, you will find that Fitness to Drive and health is an important factor in driving.


In the long-term, any pre-existing or new medical condition which may affect your ability to drive safely must be reported to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).


This is generally a conversation you should have with your doctor or specialist. A complete list of notifiable conditions is available on the gov.uk website.


You should be able to read a new style licence plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, something which is tested at the very beginning of your practical test. This can be with corrective eyewear if necessary but if they are required must be worn at all times when driving.


In the shorter term, minor illness or tiredness can affect your ability to drive safely, and it is up to you, as a responsible person, to decide for yourself if you are fit to drive or not.


Perhaps you have a headache? Could you delay your journey for an hour while you take some over-the-counter pain killers? If you have a cold and cannot give driving your full attention, could you work from home or lift-share? Do you even need to drive? Would walking or public transport be a safer option for everybody?


If you are on any medication, read the information leaflet, or ask your doctor or pharmacist how it might affect your driving. Many medications state do not operate machinery...remember a car is a machine too!


And finally on fitness to drive we must consider recreational drugs, including alcohol.


Recreational drugs are subject to a strict liability law, which essentially means zero tolerance.


Alcohol has a slightly more foregiving limit but any amount of alcohol in your system will have a detrimental effect on your driving.


Remember both of these can stay in your system for a considerable amount of time and dramatically affect your reactions, even the morning after so make sure you factor this into any driving plans.


*Reproduced with the kind permission of Mercury Driving School

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